Knockdown box, crate, &amp;c.



J. A. COFFEY 600. G. BOWEN. KNOGKDOWN BOX, CRATE, 8w. APPLICATION FILEDNOV.23,1909.

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

a. A. OOFFEY & 0.0. BOWEN.'

KNOOKDOWN BOX, GRATE, 6m.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1909 Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. COFFEY AND CLARENCE C. BOWEN, OF CADILLAC, MICHIGAN.

KNOCKDOWN BOX, CRATE, 850.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

Application filed November 23, 1909. Serial No. 529,594.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN A. Corner and CLARENCE C. BOWEN, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Cadillac, in the county of VVexford andState of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inKnockdown Boxes, Crates, &c.; and we do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in knock-clownboxes, crates, etc., and comprises a simple and efficient device of thisnature so constructed that, when the parts are fastened together, secureand rigid joints are formed which will withstand great pressure and soarranged that, when the box or crate is not in use, it may be takenapart and reduced to a compact form for convenience in shipment,storage, etc.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a perspective view of a box made in accordance with ourinvention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view. Fig. 3 is a sectional viewlongitudinally through the box. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective showingthe manner of connecting one of the sides and ends of the box, and Fig.5 is a detail sectional view.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A, Adesignate the opposite sides of the box or crate and B and B the ends.Each of said sides is provided with an L-shaped cleat 1?) projectingfrom its inner face, preferably adjacent to the end thereof, the outerend of the side and cleat being flush. The inner face of each side isrecessed away as at C, said recesses extending underneath theoverhanging portion of said L-shaped strips, and D esignate staples, onemounted transversely in each of said recesses. Each side is similarlyconstructed and each end of the box is provided with two longitudinalgrooves F formed parallel to each other in the outer face in the end,said grooves being adapted to receive the laterally projecting portionsof the L-shaped cleats, as shown in the sectional view of the drawing.Upon the outer face of each of the sections of each of the ends and uponone of the sides are the cleats H, the ends of which project beyond thetop and bottom of the box and afford means for preventing the top K andthe bottom N of the box from moving laterally. Each of said tops andbottoms is provided with cross-pieces O, the ends of which rest againstthe edges of the sides in the manner shown in the sectional view of thedrawing, thus allowing the top and bot-tom to be countersunk orpositioned within the box and thus further strengthening the sameagainst any possible strain which may come upon the box or crate.

Suitable cleats 0 also project from the outer face of the top and bottomand cover the joints intermediate the tops, bot-toms and the sides ofthe box. The top K is provided with metallic fingers or lugs S whichproject beyond the ends thereof and are adapted to engage holes T formedin the inner faces of one end of the box or crate and adjacent to theopposite ends of the cover is a threaded hole R adapted to receive aretaining bolt J which passes through a countersunk groove J formed inthe inner face of the end and is adapted to engage a threaded nut Jwhich is seated in said groove and in alinement with the screw. Upon theend of the box opposite the one in which said threaded nut is mounted ispivotally mounted a hook P which engages a staple P formed in the bottomof the box and which forms an additional means for securely holding thesections of the box or crate together. The cover which is substantiallysimilar in construction to the bottom is also provided with cleats Wwhich cover the joints intermediate the sides and ends of the box.

By the provision of a box or crate made as shown and described, it willbe noted that a secure shipping receptacle is afiorded which will be sothoroughly braced by the peculiar construction shown that it willwithstand severe usage without in any material way impairing theefficiency of the same and, being constructed in the manner set forth,it will be noted that the box may be easily taken apart and reduced to acompact form when not in use.

What we claim to be new is 1. A shipping box or crate comprising sideswhich have L-shaped cleats upon their inner faces, ends With groovesupon their inner faces for the reception of the laterally projectingportions of said L-shaped cleats, hooks fastened to the ends, the innerfaces of the sides having recesses, transversely disposed staplesmounted in said recesses adapted to be engaged by said hooks, a top andbottom, the marginal edges of which are positioned intermediate thesides and ends of the box, the inner faces of the ends having grooves, anut mounted in one of said grooves, screws adapted to be positionedthrough apertures in the top and bottom and through said nuts, formingmeans for holding the top and bottom in place.

2. A shipping box or crate comprising sides Which have L-shape'd cleatsupon their inner faces, ends With grooves upon their inner faces for thereception of the laterally projecting portions of said L-shaped cleats,hooks fastened to the ends, the inner faces of the sides havingrecesses, transversely disposed staples mounted in said recesses adaptedto be engaged by said hooks, a top and bottom, the marginal edges ofWhich are positioned intermediate the sides and ends of the box, theinner faces of the ends having grooves, a nut mounted in one of saidgrooves, screws adapted to be passed through apertures in the top andbottom and through said nut-s, forming means for holding the top andbottom in place, cleats projecting beyond the edges of the ends andsides, and cleats upon the top and bottom adapted to bear against saidprojecting ends.

In testimony whereof We hereunto affix our signatures in the presence oftWo Witnesses.

JOHN A. GOFFEY. CLARENCE G. BOWEN. Witnesses:

CLARENCE FELLnns, JOHN LARSON.

